A few of us are interested in trying to sew our own undergarments (underwear, bras) so let’s do a sew-along!
I was thinking the thread could be general tips, tricks, questions, resources, photos, etc. Low pressure, join anytime, sew at your own pace, or don’t sew at all and just help answer questions and provide encouragement. All skill levels welcome!
Props to @MamaRhi for the thread title! Without her this would have been called “show us your underwear” 
I’ll try to keep this post updated with anything posted below so we can use it as a quick reference.
For underwear I think the most important thing is that it’s 1) breathable 2) stretchy 3) has good recovery (no one wants a saggy butt). Look for a natural fiber with at least 5% spandex/elastic
Main body
Gusset
There are a ton of different patterns available. Check threadloop if you’re looking for ideas!
Here are links to specific patterns some of us will be making
Notions will depend on your pattern and preference but here are some common ones
For bras specifically
I’ll look for my undies pics, they were on the old site, hopefully I saved them! Made from old tshirts, each pattern piece a different colour/pattern (4 pieces total). They were fun, and a great way to save fussy cut bits of cool shirts.
Tagging those who were interested and anyone I could remember who mentioned sewing undergarments. Come join in on the fun 
I added a bunch of stuff to the resources post. Feel free to post anything in the thread so I can add it to the resources
I’m interested in this topic, especially for bras. I get so frustrated with the lack of natural fibers out there. And I have ideas regarding an offset back hook system. Why are the hooks right over your spine where they are the most uncomfortable? PS: I’ve never really cared for front closures.
I like @Magpie ‘s use of old tshirts for underwear.
I’m in!
I don’t know when I find the time to get started, but I definitely need new underwear.
I wanted to try this pattern. And I’ll cut up a pair if my favorite panties to make my own pattern.
I also have some paper patterns that I bought ages ago. I have to go through my stash to find them.
Currently back to finishing up the baby unmentionables and waiting for my package from Denver Fabrics with my undies fabric…
I have been trying to find all my Watson bra pics. My phone pics search is not cooperating with me. But right now all of my bras that are not sports bras are homemade Watson bras. I ended up widening the shoulder straps and adjusting the cup pattern because I am tiny bodied and ample busted to a point of fit annoyance. I was buying supplies on Etsy from a bra supplies specific shop but I have since shut down the account I was using at the time and can’t find it in my other account. But I stocked up a bit a few years ago.
I might make a matching bra for the new undies.
I really need to pull out all my existing bras and make some repairs too.
I used foldover elastic for the first time with the diaper covers I am making and it is amazing. I might get some for my undies…
Here’s a fun timelapse video on Instagram of someone’s Watson bra construction…
My first homemade bra post on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUKcIrkLous/?exln=MW44azkydmI4eTE5cQ==
Second:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXugMhCLtTs/?img_index=2&rpxt=MTZtbHFicHZxbWhxNQ==
Another:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1TILd4rAqa/?psln=MXFuZWFzdmp4bWMzNQ==
Nice!! They look great! I love that fabric, do you know what it was made of?
Now I’m really tempted to get that pattern. How easy is it to customize?
After making a couple I could easily see where to make alterations for fit. It’s a great pattern, easy to read, and there’s a titorial (ok, that was a typo, but I am leaving it) on her website I think. I am pretty confident about altering her bikini pattern to appease my old lady undies preferences. But, of course, your mileage may vary. It depends on your own skill level.
Wine red bamboo jersey! This is the color I can never find in undies but it makes so much sense…
It feels nice. I’m excited!
I love the color 
I have been thinking of sewing my own bras for a very long time, I’ve been debating getting one made to measure or learning it myself.
I’m not sure I would enjoy the fiddling with little bits and pieces, and making five versions before I can finally wear it. Or the precision sewing and cutting involved in making something that looks nice. I’m a pretty experienced seamstress and know a bit of pattern drafting, but lingerie making is a seperate skill and I’m not sure if I want to invest the time to learn it by trial and error. But there aren’t any courses offered in my area (the nearest one I’ve found is several hours away and starts so early in the morning I’d need a hotel) and also no one nearby who does custom work. So getting one made would also involve several hours of travel + the price tag of custom (can only be €€€€€)
I run into several issues that each on their own are probably easily fixable by adapting a standard pattern, but all of them together feels like it will be difficult and that’s why I haven’t started yet - my breasts are uneven in size, they are shaped a bit differently than the standard underwires you can buy, and the “middle bit” of bras is always just too short and that’s why after a while they always rip there.
Outside of work I wear sports bras a lot, and that works, but at work I wear the type of clothes that look a lot better with a standard underwire bra. Plus I don’t really like that the sports bras are fully synthethic. I’d rather wear something with more natural fibers. The cotton sports bras I’ve tried don’t offer enough support.
I think at some point I will bite the bullet and start learning, maybe your posts will inspire me!
I have made a lot of cami’s and PJ’s and I’ve been thinking of underwear too. I’ve even saved old pairs to use as patterns. I think that should be totally do-able, just haven’t gotten around to actually doing it yet.
My breasts are different as well, but I think most of us are not symmetrical, and I don’t like underwires or padding/formed cups that most commercially made bras have. I wear sports bras most of the time, and have found some that are partially cotton, but mostly synthetic.
I have big dreams of making some 40’s or 50’s style of supportive bras with only cotton and no underwires. Also, I am giving thoughts to trying cotton or silk tap pants instead of modern style underwear. Like I wrote, “big dreams”.
ETA: on instagram, these is a woman who goes by the name Sewrena. She sews most of all her foundation wear.
Today I decided to go through some of my bras that needed repairs. Fixed some broken stitching and replaced the bras straps on this one:
At some point that one was washed with something I had dyed and the whites were never the same again.
This is the second etsy shop I used for supplies because they had wider bra strap elastic. I just checked and didn’t see any in stock on their site now though.
Our fabric store is closing at the end of the year. The will try to go there next week and check if they have any notions left. I’m not sure about elastics. But I hope to find some elastic lace and some hooks. It’s the 3rd fabric store that’s closing after Covid. The last craft store closed, too. Then we only have a rather pricey quilt store left and I need to go to the big city if I don’t want to buy online.
